The Duterte Panagutin Campaign Network, a coalition of individuals and groups working for justice and accountability, condemns in the strongest possible terms the recent statement of Senate President Francis Escudero, which casts doubt on the conduct of an impeachment trial despite the formal transmission of the Articles of Impeachment by the House of Representatives.
A draft resolution to drop the trial of VP Duterte in the senate has allegedly been going around.
These efforts to stall and even dismiss the proceedings is an affront to the Constitution. Article XI, Section 3, Paragraph 6 of the 1987 Constitution clearly states that the Senate shall have the sole power to try and decide all cases of impeachment. This mandate is not subject to political discretion. It is a legal duty that binds every member of the Senate from the moment the Articles are received.
Any refusal to act is a grave violation of our constitution. It signals that the Senate is willing to protect those in power instead of holding them accountable. It sends the dangerous message that the rule of law can be suspended for political convenience.
We urge the senators to uphold the Constitution and immediately convene the impeachment court. The impeachment proceedings is the very purpose of the system of checks and balances under the constitution to ensure that there is no abuse of power in the government.
This is also a call to all Filipinos to remain vigilant and unafraid. If the Senate chooses silence, then it is our voices that must rise. If institutions fail, then the people must act. Impunity and injustice should have no place in our country.